SUNDRY

The specific problem your solution is addressing is the significant post-harvest loss of perishable fruits and vegetables in Tanzania, which affects millions of smallholder farmers and contributes to food insecurity and economic challenges.

In Tanzania, up to 40% of fruit and vegetable crops are lost annually due to lack of affordable post-harvest preservation and cold storage. This chronic food waste is valued at over $480 million per year. These losses disproportionately impact Tanzania's 5.1 million smallholder farming households, who produce much of the country's perishable crops.

The problem extends across sub-Saharan Africa, where up to 50% of fruits and vegetables are lost after harvest, amounting to $4 billion in annual losses. Globally, around 14% of food produced is lost between harvest and retail, with the highest rates in developing regions. This waste exacerbates food insecurity, with an estimated 811 million people facing hunger worldwide.

The key factors contributing to this problem are the lack of affordable and accessible post-harvest storage and preservation technologies, particularly in rural and remote agricultural communities. Without effective solutions to extend the shelf-life of produce, smallholder farmers often have no choice but to sell their crops immediately after harvest, when prices are lowest, or watch them spoil, leading to significant economic losses.

Addressing this challenge is crucial to improving food security, nutrition, and income opportunities for millions of smallholder farmers across Tanzania and sub-Saharan Africa.

The SUNDRY™ solar food dehydrator system is an innovative, renewable technology solution that addresses the problem of post-harvest losses of perishable fruits and vegetables in Tanzania.

Each SUNDRY unit uses only solar thermal energy to dehydrate up to 50 kg of produce per day, including bananas, mangoes, tomatoes, and leafy greens, into nutritious, shelf-stable dried products. The SUNDRY system works by circulating hot air over the produce, evaporating moisture and preserving the food without the need for electricity or fossil fuels.

Suitable for on-farm or village-scale operations, the SUNDRY units are designed to be affordable and accessible for Tanzania's 5.1 million smallholder farming households. By extending the shelf-life of produce, the SUNDRY system enables farmers to preserve up to 40% of the $480 million worth of annual post-harvest losses, sell value-added dried goods, and generate additional income.

If deployed nationwide in Tanzania, solar drying with SUNDRY could preserve over $190 million worth of the country's annual fruit and vegetable losses. This would significantly enhance food security, nutrition, and earnings for agricultural communities across the country, where up to 50% of all fruits and vegetables are lost after harvest across sub-Saharan Africa.

The SUNDRY solution leverages established solar thermal technology, combined with innovative product design and an inclusive, community-focused business model. This approach makes the SUNDRY system a practical, scalable, and sustainable solution to address the chronic post-harvest waste that plagues Tanzania's agricultural sector and undermines the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers.

The SUNDRY™ solution directly serves Tanzania's 5.1 million smallholder farming households, who are currently underserved and disproportionately impacted by the chronic post-harvest loss of perishable fruits and vegetables.

These smallholder farmers, many of whom live in rural and remote areas, rely on producing and selling high-value horticultural crops as a primary source of income and food. However, without access to affordable post-harvest preservation and storage technologies, they are forced to sell their produce immediately after harvest, when prices are lowest, or watch it spoil, leading to significant economic losses.

The SUNDRY system addresses the urgent needs of these smallholder farming communities in several crucial ways:

1. Food security and nutrition: By enabling the preservation of up to 40% of Tanzania's $480 million in annual post-harvest fruit and vegetable losses, the SUNDRY solution helps ensure year-round access to nutritious, shelf-stable foods, improving food security.

2. Income generation: The SUNDRY system allows farmers to transform perishable surpluses into value-added dried products, which can be sold at higher prices and generate additional income. This supports economic empowerment and resilience.

3. Sustainability: The solar-powered SUNDRY units provide a renewable preservation solution that avoids the need for fossil fuels or grid electricity, aligned with Tanzania's climate action goals.

By directly addressing the critical challenges faced by millions of smallholder farmers, the SUNDRY solution has the potential to meaningfully improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods across Tanzania's agricultural communities.

The SUNDRY™ solution is being developed by a diverse team of Tanzanian innovators with deep connections to the smallholder farming communities they aim to serve.

The team is led by Neema Goryo, a social entrepreneur and agricultural engineer born and raised in rural Tanzania. Neema has over 15 years of experience working directly with smallholder farmers to develop affordable, sustainable post-harvest technologies.

Joining Neema on the SUNDRY team are:

• Amani Mwakisopile, a product designer from Mwanza with expertise in designing for last-mile distribution and user-centered innovation.

• Fatuma Chande, a solar energy expert from Dar es Salaam who has installed renewable systems in remote farming villages.

• Omari Mkupete, an agricultural economist from Mbeya who has studied food value chains and smallholder challenges across Tanzania.

• Khadija Rashidi, a social impact strategist from Zanzibar with a background in community-led development programs.

This team's deep roots in Tanzania's farming communities, combined with their diverse technical and entrepreneurial skills, enable them to design the SUNDRY solution in close collaboration with end-users. Regular feedback sessions, co-creation workshops, and pilot testing with smallholder farmers ensure the SUNDRY system is tailored to meet their specific needs and constraints.

By centering the voices and perspectives of the communities they aim to serve, the SUNDRY team is uniquely positioned to deliver an impactful, equitable, and sustainable solution that can transform post-harvest food loss into new income and food security opportunities for Tanzania's smallholder farmers.

The SUNDRY™ solution is currently at the Pilot stage. We have launched the SUNDRY solar food dehydrators in two agricultural communities in Tanzania - Iringa and Mbeya - and have so far served 31 smallholder farming households.

Through a series of user research sessions, co-creation workshops, and field trials, the SUNDRY team has iterated on the product design and business model to best meet the needs of the target beneficiaries. The current SUNDRY units feature improvements to airflow, drying trays, and overall durability based on feedback from the initial pilot participants.

Additionally, the team has been testing different sales and distribution approaches, including direct-to-farmer sales as well as partnerships with local farmer cooperatives and agricultural extension services. This has helped refine the go-to-market strategy to ensure the SUNDRY solution is accessible and affordable for smallholder farmers.

While still in the iterative pilot phase, the SUNDRY system has already demonstrated its potential impact. Participating farmers have reported being able to preserve up to 40% of their post-harvest fruit and vegetable yields, which they have then transformed into higher-value dried products for sale in local markets.

This early traction and user validation has enabled the SUNDRY team to secure seed funding from local impact investors to support continued product development, customer research, and scaled deployment plans. The team is now focused on further refining the solution and business model to prepare for a larger-scale rollout across Tanzania's smallholder farming communities.

The SUNDRY™ team is applying to Solve to access a range of support that can help us overcome key barriers to scaling our solution and achieving greater impact for smallholder farming communities in Tanzania.

One of our primary challenges is securing sufficient funding to manufacture SUNDRY units at scale and establish a robust distribution network across rural and remote areas. The Solve Solver Award and potential to connect with additional funding partners through the program would be invaluable in addressing this financial barrier.

Beyond capital, we also face technical and market-related obstacles. Our team has deep expertise in agriculture and renewable energy, but we could benefit from Solve's network of technical experts, researchers, and innovators who could provide guidance on optimizing the SUNDRY system's performance and durability. Additionally, Solve's connections to potential commercial and implementation partners would help us refine our go-to-market strategy and expand our reach to new farming communities.

Culturally, it is essential that the SUNDRY solution is designed and deployed in a way that is fully aligned with the needs and preferences of Tanzanian smallholder farmers. The human-centered design approach championed by Solve aligns with our own inclusive, community-led development model. Engaging with Solve's global network and learning from other Solver teams' experiences in this area would be tremendously valuable.

The SUNDRY™ solution represents an innovative approach to addressing the chronic issue of post-harvest food loss that plagues Tanzania's agricultural sector and undermines the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers.

The key innovation lies in SUNDRY's use of simple, affordable solar thermal technology to dehydrate and preserve perishable fruits and vegetables. Unlike traditional drying methods that rely on firewood or fossil fuels, the SUNDRY system harnesses the abundant solar energy available in Tanzania to create a low-cost, sustainable preservation solution.

This renewable, off-grid approach sets SUNDRY apart from other post-harvest storage technologies, which often require access to unreliable or expensive grid electricity. By eliminating the need for external power sources, SUNDRY makes food preservation accessible and affordable for Tanzania's 5.1 million remote, resource-constrained smallholder farming households.

Moreover, the SUNDRY system's innovative product design - featuring modular, easy-to-assemble units that can process up to 50 kg of produce per day - enables decentralized, on-farm or village-level deployment. This distributed model empowers smallholder farmers to take an active role in preserving their own harvests, rather than relying on centralized, capital-intensive infrastructure.

The SUNDRY solution's unique emphasis on community ownership and engagement has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts. If deployed nationwide in Tanzania, solar drying with SUNDRY could preserve over $190 million worth of the country's annual $480 million in fruit and vegetable losses. This innovative, community-centric approach positions SUNDRY to not only reduce food loss, but also drive meaningful increases in food security, farmer incomes, and climate resilience across Tanzania's agricultural landscape.

The SUNDRY™ solution's theory of change is grounded in the core challenges faced by Tanzania's 5.1 million smallholder farming households, who currently experience significant post-harvest losses of perishable fruits and vegetables.

Through the deployment of affordable, solar-powered SUNDRY food dehydration units, the solution aims to achieve the following key outputs:

1. Increased preservation of post-harvest produce: SUNDRY units can dehydrate up to 50 kg of fruits and vegetables per day, enabling farmers to preserve up to 40% of their otherwise wasted harvests.

2. Expanded access to nutritious, shelf-stable foods: The dried goods produced with SUNDRY provide smallholder families year-round access to nutrient-rich foods, improving food security and dietary diversity.

3. New income-generating opportunities: Selling value-added dried products allows farmers to earn higher revenues, diversifying their sources of household income.

These immediate outputs then contribute to the following longer-term outcomes and impacts:

1. Improved livelihoods and economic resilience: The additional income and food security provided by SUNDRY helps lift smallholder farmers out of poverty and enhances their ability to withstand shocks.

2. Strengthened food systems and reduced waste: Nationwide adoption of SUNDRY technology could prevent over $190 million worth of annual post-harvest losses in Tanzania, transforming the country's agricultural value chains.

3. Advancement of climate-smart agriculture: The renewable, off-grid SUNDRY solution aligns with Tanzania's goals for sustainable, low-emission food production, contributing to broader environmental and climate resilience.

This theory of change is supported by prior studies on post-harvest losses in Tanzania, as well as pilot testing and user feedback that confirm the SUNDRY system's ability to address these critical challenges faced by smallholder farming communities.

The SUNDRY™ solution has the following key impact goals:

1. Increase food security and nutrition for 10,000 smallholder farming households in Tanzania by the end of 2028.
Indicator: Number of households with year-round access to nutritious, shelf-stable dried foods produced using SUNDRY units.

2. Generate $200,000 in additional income for smallholder farmers through the sale of value-added dried products by the end of 2028.
Indicator: Total revenue generated by smallholder farmers from SUNDRY-dried produce sales.

3. Reduce post-harvest food losses by 20% across target farming communities by the end of 2028.
Indicator: Percentage reduction in fruits and vegetables lost post-harvest in areas with SUNDRY deployment.

To measure progress towards these impact goals, the SUNDRY team has established a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework that combines quantitative and qualitative data collection methods:

- Household surveys: Regularly interviewing SUNDRY users to track changes in food security, dietary diversity, and income.
- Sales and inventory tracking: Monitoring the volume and value of dried goods produced and sold by participating farmers.
- Post-harvest loss assessments: Conducting periodic surveys and observational studies to quantify reductions in on-farm food waste.
- Focus group discussions: Gathering feedback from farmers, cooperatives, and community leaders on the solution's broader social and environmental impacts.

By rigorously measuring these key performance indicators, the SUNDRY team can continuously refine the solution, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the tangible impact it is having on the lives of smallholder farmers in Tanzania.

The core technology that powers the SUNDRY™ solution is solar thermal dehydration. This innovative application of renewable energy enables smallholder farmers in Tanzania to preserve their perishable fruits and vegetables using a simple, affordable, and environmentally-friendly process.

At the heart of the SUNDRY system are custom-designed, modular solar food dehydrators. These units harness the abundant solar radiation in Tanzania to efficiently dry a variety of produce, including mangoes, tomatoes, leafy greens, and more. The key technological innovations include:

1. Optimized air circulation: The SUNDRY units feature a strategic airflow design, with solar-powered fans that ensure even heat distribution and consistent drying across multiple trays.

2. Insulated drying chambers: High-performance insulation materials maintain stable, elevated temperatures within the dehydration chambers, accelerating the drying process.

3. Integrated temperature/humidity monitoring: Embedded sensors constantly track environmental conditions, allowing farmers to precisely monitor and control the drying cycle.

4. Modular, scalable design: The SUNDRY units can be easily assembled and scaled up to meet the needs of individual smallholder farms or larger cooperatives, improving accessibility and impact.

By leveraging these solar thermal technologies, the SUNDRY solution empowers smallholder farmers to transform surplus harvests into nutritious, shelf-stable dried goods without relying on scarce or expensive energy sources. This not only reduces food loss and improves food security, but also advances Tanzania's transition towards a more sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural sector.

The SUNDRY™ solution team is composed of the following:

• 4 full-time staff members
• 3 part-time staff members
• 4 contractors or other workers

The SUNDRY™ team has been working on developing and refining the solution for the past 2 years, since 2022. 

The initial concept and proof-of-concept for the solar-powered food dehydration system was first established in 2020. Over the past 2 years, the team has iterated on the technology, conducted pilot testing with farming communities in Tanzania, and built out the operational and business infrastructure to prepare the solution for wider-scale deployment.

This 2-year period of solution development, user testing, and early-stage implementation has been instrumental in validating the SUNDRY approach and positioning the team to now seek broader support and partnerships.

The SUNDRY™ team is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that empowers all team members to contribute meaningfully to the solution's development and impact.

In building our core team, we have deliberately sought out individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Our 11-person team includes an even gender balance, with representation from multiple ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Crucially, we also have team members who hail directly from the smallholder farming communities we aim to serve, ensuring that their lived experiences and unique insights are central to our design and decision-making processes.

To further strengthen the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our organization, we have implemented the following policies and practices:

• Inclusive hiring: All job postings and recruitment efforts explicitly welcome applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, with clear commitments to fair and equitable evaluation.
• Flexible work arrangements: Team members have the option to work remotely or adapt their schedules to accommodate personal/family responsibilities, enabling greater work-life balance.
• Ongoing DEI training: The entire SUNDRY team regularly participates in workshops and discussions to build cultural competency and address unconscious biases.
• Mentorship program: Junior team members are paired with more experienced colleagues to receive guidance, support, and sponsorship for their professional development.
• Employee resource groups: Team members have formed affinity-based groups to foster community, share experiences, and advocate for their needs.

By embedding these DEI practices into our organizational culture, the SUNDRY team aims to create an environment where everyone feels valued, empowered, and able to thrive - ultimately strengthening our collective ability to drive transformative impact in Tanzania's smallholder farming communities.

The SUNDRY™ solution follows a multi-faceted business model that aims to create sustainable value for both the smallholder farming communities we serve and our social enterprise.

Our key customers and beneficiaries are the 5.1 million smallholder farming households across Tanzania who are impacted by post-harvest food losses. To serve this population, we provide:

1. Solar-powered food dehydration units: The core SUNDRY technology, which enables farmers to preserve their surplus produce using renewable solar energy. We sell these units directly to individual farmers, farming cooperatives, and community organizations at a price of $320 per unit.

2. Technical training and support: Comprehensive training programs that educate farmers on the proper use, maintenance, and optimization of the SUNDRY units. We also provide ongoing technical assistance and troubleshooting support.

3. Market linkages: Connections to local and regional buyers, processers, and distributors who purchase the dried fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products generated by SUNDRY users.

This bundled offering of technology, capacity-building, and market access creates significant value for our target customers. By reducing post-harvest losses, improving food security, and generating new income streams, the SUNDRY solution directly addresses the critical challenges faced by smallholder farming communities.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of this model, SUNDRY operates as a social enterprise, reinvesting a portion of our revenues into ongoing R&D, production, and community engagement efforts. To date, we have sold 31 SUNDRY units at $320 each, generating $9,920 in revenue, which we are now leveraging to scale our impact and reach more farming households across Tanzania.

Looking ahead, we aim to further diversify our revenue streams by exploring complementary offerings, such as rental/leasing models, carbon credits, and agricultural supply chain financing - all with the goal of maximizing our social and environmental impact.

The SUNDRY™ solution's path to financial sustainability is built upon a diversified revenue model that combines earned income from product sales, strategic partnerships, and impact investment capital.

Earned Revenue: The core of our business model is direct sales of the SUNDRY solar food dehydration units to smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and community organizations. To date, we have sold 31 units at $320 each, generating $9,920 in revenue. Moving forward, we project that unit sales will scale significantly as we expand our geographic reach and drive broader adoption of the SUNDRY technology.

Strategic Partnerships: In addition to direct sales, we are actively pursuing partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and private sector actors who share our mission of improving food security and farmer livelihoods. These partnerships could manifest as service contracts, co-development initiatives, or revenue-sharing arrangements that provide sustainable funding sources.

For example, we are in discussions with the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture to integrate the SUNDRY solution into their existing food loss reduction programs, which could unlock recurring public sector funding. We have also secured a $50,000 grant from a prominent international development agency to pilot the SUNDRY model in new regions.

Impact Investment: To accelerate our growth trajectory, we are actively seeking impact investment capital from mission-aligned venture funds, angel investors, and philanthropic sources. These investments will enable us to scale our production capacity, strengthen our distribution networks, and expand our community outreach and training efforts.

By combining these diverse revenue streams, the SUNDRY team is positioned to achieve financial sustainability and maximize our social and environmental impact for years to come.